Fluid dispenser



B. KLEID FLUID DISPENSER April 28, 1959 Filed Marbh a, 1957' 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig. 4

' ATTORNEYS United States Patent FLUID DISPENSER Boris Kleid, Newton Highlands, Mass., assignor to Arnold- Copeland Co., Inc., Boston, Mass, a corporation of Massachusetts The present invention relates to fluid dispensers and more particularly to dispensers for use with small containers for volatile and highly fluid liquids.

Dispensers of the pump type are frequently employed for liquids that are contained in cans or bottles. Such dispensers are generally mounted in a cap or top closure with the inlet tube extending into the interior of the container. Various pump arrangements have been devised to withdraw the liquid and discharge it through ;a spout or nozzle when the pump is actuated by a button or lever.

The problem with conventional pump arrangements has been to prevent leaking or seepage in the event the container is tipped over, and to prevent evaporation in the ease of highly volatile liquids.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a dispenser of novel construction and arrangement, capable of convenient actuation to discharge liquid by pumping action and likewise adapted to be closed tightly when desired to seal the contents against leakage or evaporation.

More specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide a dispenser construction wherein the pumping member is utilized to provide an effective seal when the device is closed.

In accordance with these and other objects, the invention involves as a feature thereof a simple but etfective dispenser construction wherein the pumping member comprises a flexible diaphragm and wherein the pumping mechanism is adapted to be locked in closed position in such a way as to provide an effective seal or closure for the liquid, at each of two spaced locations in the path of fluid discharge according to one embodiment of the invention but in any event at one sealing location.

These and other objects and features will become apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a view in sectional elevation of a preferred embodiment of the invention showing the dispenser in closed position.

Fig. 2 is a similarly-taken view of the'embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1, showing the dispenser in theopen position.

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation of an alternative embodiment of the present invention, employing a detachable locking cap.

Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation of the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 3, showing the dispenser ready for use after removal of the locking cap.

The-several features of the invention are illustrated as embodied in a dispenser wherein the pumping action is provided by a flexible domed diaphragm so mounted as to provide when actuated a substantial volumetric change in the pumping chamber.

Referring to the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the dispenser comprises a generally cylindrical body 8 having a depending portion 10 through which extends the inlet passage 12, communicating with a tube 14 which is adapted to reach substantially to the bottom of the container, not illustrated. The dispenser will generally be mounted in the neck portion of the container, or assembled with the top closure thereof.

The dispenser body is provided with inner and outer walls 16 and 18 defining a central chamber 20 and an annular chamber 22. The walls of the central chamber serve to guide and retain the ball 24 which cooperates with the seat at the bottom of the chamber to provide the requisite check valve action for admission of liquid from the inlet passage 12 on the suction stroke of the pump.

The flexible diaphragm 28 which constitutes the pumping member is in the form of an inverted cup shaped element having an out turned margin or flange 30 and a thickened central portion 32 having a depending stem 34 extending into the chamber defined by walls 16. A soft vinyl or polyethylene plastic has been found to be suitable. The flange is seated in an annular shoulder extending around the interior of the outer wall 18, and is sealed by a clyindrical ring 36 pressed into or otherwise secured in the body 8. A coil spring 38 extends between the underside of the diaphragm and the bottom of the annular chamber 22, resiliently urging the diaphram to its raised or distended position.

The diaphragm, in the embodiment of Figs. 1 and 2, is actuated to pump liquid from the container by means of a cap 40. The cap is provided with an outer wall so as to slide in guided telescoping relation to the cylindrical retainer ring 36, and with a central portion 42 to engage the diaphragm in the region of the thickened center region 34. As is apparent from the drawings, downward pressure applied to the cap by the operator will cause the central portion of the domed diaphragm to move downwardly, to an inturned or reentrant relation with its outer walls. This results in a decrease in volume enclosed by the diaphragm and dispenser body, causing liquid to be expelled through the outlet passage 46. Upon release of the cap, the diaphragm is restored to its raised position of Fig. 2, drawing a new charge of liquid upwardly past the inlet check valve from the container. The telescoping relation of stem 34 within the walls 16 provides a guiding action to prevent excessive lateral displacement of the diaphragm.

Communicating with the outlet 46 is a nozzle or spout, a portion of which is indicated at 50. This may, like the dispenser body, be of a molded plastic and secured to the body by cementing or in other suitable manner. Within the chamber provided by the enlarged end of the spout adjacent the dispenser is disposed at check valve 52 adapted to seal the outlet passage on the suction stroke of the pump. This check valve is adapted to provide a resilient closure through the use of integrally formed fingers 54 of small cross-sectional area, the material of the valve being a resilient plastic such as soft vinyl or polyethylene. These fingers seat on a shoulder at the base of the enlargement in the spout.

As an alternative to an open spout, a conventional atomizing or spray head may be connected to the outlet passage for use with liquids that are to be sprayed or discharged as finely divided droplets. For such applications it is possible to eliminate the check valve in the outlet passage.

As has been previously indicated, a principal feature of the invention concerns the provision of means for tightly sealing the dispenser, when desired, against the escape of liquid. To this end, the actuating cap is adapted to be locked in its fully depressed position by means of a bayonet-type configuration of cooperating parts. The cylindrical guide ring 36 is provided at its top with inturned projections 60, while the cap has vertical grooves 62 in its exterior wall. During normal operation, the grooves are aligned with the projections to permit vertical sliding movement of the cap. However, if the cap, when assgms fully depressed, is rotated to carry the grooves out of registration with the projections so that shoulders 64 are beneath said projections, the cap is locked in its fully depressed position, as illustrated in Fig. 1.

When the cap is so locked, the flexible diaphragm is arranged to provide an effective seal for the liquid. For one of the seals, the central stem portion 34 of the diaphragm extends into contact with and resiliently engages the valve ball 24 to hold it firmly against its seat. At the same time, the diaphragm itself, at the margin of the thickened central region, is pressed in to firm engagement with the top edge of the inner wall 16 of the dispenser body, thus isolating the annular outer chamber 22 from the inner or inlet valve chamber 20. While one of said seals may be omitted, if desired, in utilizing the invention while retaining the features of the combined diaphragm pump and locking seal construction, it is evident that the employment of the spaced, independent seals affords still greater security against leakage or evaporation. Upon turning the cap to unlock it, the dispenser is immediately ready for action, since the force of coil spring 38 is effective to move the diaphragm out of sealing position, as shown in Fig. 2.

in the alternative embodiment illustrated in Figs. 3 and. 4, the flexible diaphragm is adapted to be directly actuated, without the use of a knob or cap. However, a detachable cap or cover 70 is provided in order to lock the diaphragm in its depressed or sealing position, when it is desired to close the dispenser against leakage or evaporation, as for travel or shipment. In this embodiment, the dispenser body is provided with an outwardly projecting rim. or shoulder '72, while the cap, of a resilient plastic material, is. formed with spaced hook-like inturned lugs 74. Preferably one of said lugs has a projection 76 to aid in bending the lug out of engagement with the rim 72 to permit attachment or release of the cap.

Because of the elimination of the integral actuating cap of the first-described embodiment, the dispenser shownin Figs. 3 and 4 differs slightly in its mounting of the domed diaphragm 78. Instead of the upwardly extending guide and retainer ring, the out-turned margin of the diaphragm is sealed and secured by a relatively narrow retaining ring 89.

When the diaphragm is locked in its depressed position by the cap 70, as shown in Fig. 3, the resilient stem portion 84 of the diaphragm holds the inlet valve ball 86 firmly against its seat. In this embodiment the walls 552 surrounding the inlet valve are not engaged by the diaphragm when in closed position, and the single seal resulting from forcible retention of the inlet valve ball against its seat is relied upon to seal the dispenser. Upon removing the cap, which is readily accomplished by lifting the projecting lug 76, the diaphragm is released and moves. under the influence of spring 88 to the position shown. in Fig. 4. At the same time, a charge of liquid is drawn upwardly into the dispenser body. If the top of the diaphragm is pressed by the finger of the operator, the diaphragm will move downwardly in an inwardly rolling action, resulting in an appreciable decrease in volume and causing the contents of the chamber to be expelled through the discharge passage 90 past outlet check valve 92. This valve differs from that of Figs. 1 and 2 in that it isof the flapper type, being formed of a resilient plastic material which is adapted to bend away from the seat on the discharge stroke of the pump, as shown in dotted outline, and to close against the seat on the suction stroke.

It is apparent that as liquid is removed from the container, it will be necessary for air to be admitted to make up. for the decrease in volume. Such equalization may take place by slow leakage past the valves of the dispenser, if the dispenser has not been locked in sealing position, or by the provision of other access to the container that may be rendered effective against escape of liquid. Such means may be of usual form and constructionand forms no. part of thepresent, invention.

The invention thus comprises a novel form of small dispenser'wherein a sealed rather than a sliding pumping member is employed and wherein the pumping member itself may be positioned to cause a fluid-tight seal to be established at one or more locations when the dispenser is locked in closed position.

While the invention has; been. illustrated and described in terms of two embodiments. thereof, it will be apparent that the invention comprehends other forms and embodiments withinthe scope of, the appended claims.

I claim as, my invention:

1. A pump-type dispenser for liquids, comprising a body having upstanding generally circular inner and outer walls defining an inner and an annular outer chamber, the inner chamber having anaopening communicating with the annular outer chamber, a pumping member comprising a resilient domed diaphragm secured at its margin to the body and extending, over the top thereof, the inner chamher having an inlet passage and inlet check' valve and the outer chamber having an. outlet passage and outlet check valve, the diaphragm being resiliently displaceable inwardly from normal outwardly domed position to dis place fluid from the outer annular chamber, a eap extending over the diaphragm and. means for securing the cap to the body with the diaphragm in inwardly displaced relation, the underside of'the diaphragm having a surface to engage the. walls; of the inner chamber and seal off communication between inner and outer chambers when the cap is secured on the body with the diaphragm in inwardly displaced relation.

2. A pump-type dispenser for liquids, comprising a body having upstanding generally circular inner and outer walls defining aninner and1an annular outer chamber, the inner chamber being open at its top, a pumping member comprising a resilient domed diaphragm secured at its margin to the outer wall of the body and extending over the top thereof, the inner chamber having an inlet passage and inlet check valve and the annular outer chamber having an outlet passage and outlet check valve, resilient means urging the diaphragm into outwardly extended relation relative to the body with the diaphragm in spaced relation to the open. top wall of the inner. chamber, a cap extending over the diaphragm, and means for sewning, the cap to the body with the diaphragm in sealing contact with the top of the walls of the inner chamber to prevent flow communication between inner and outer chambers.

3. A pump-type dispenser for liquids, comprising a body having upstanding generally circular inner and outer walls defining an inner and an annular outer chamber, the inner chamber having an opening communicating with the annular outer chamber, a pumping member comprising a resilient domed diaphragm secured at its margin. to, the body and-extending over the top thereof, the inner chamber having antinlet passage and inlet check valve and' the outer chamber having an outlet passage and outlet, check valve, the diaphragm being resiliently displaceable inwardly from normal. outwardly domed position to displace fluid from the outer annular chamber, a cap extending over the diaphragm, means for securing the, cap to the body with the diaphragm in inwardly displaced relation, the underside of the diaphragm having a surface. to engage the wallsof the inner. chamberv and seal off communication. between inner and outer chambers when the cap is secured on the body with the diaphragm in. inwardly displaced. relation, and resilient means projecting from the underside of the diaphragm into the inner. chamber to engage and hold closed the inlet check valve, when. the. diaphragm isin inwardly displaced relation.

4. A pumpflype. dispenser for liquids, comprising a body having upstanding generally circular inner and outer walls defining an inner and an annular outer chamber, the inner chamber being open at its top, a pumping member comprising a resilient. domed diaphragm secured at its margin to the outer wall of the body and extending over the top thereof, the inner chamber having an inlet passage and inlet check valve and the annular outer chamber having an outlet passage and outlet check valve, resilient means urging the diaphragm into outwardly extended relation relative to the body with the diaphragm in spaced relation to the open top wall of the inner chamber, a diaphragm actuator comprising a cap, a cap retainer having guide means permitting relative telescoping movement between cap and retainer, and cooperating locking surfaces on cap and retainer for securing the cap in inwardly displacing telescoping relation with the diaphragm in contact with the top of the walls of the inner chamber.

5. A pump-type dispenser comprising a body having upstanding generally circular inner and outer walls defining an inner and an annular outer chamber, the outer walls having a seat extending around the inside of said walls, a resilient domed diaphragm having its margin supported by said seat, inlet and outlet passages in inner and outer chambers, respectively, inlet and outlet check valves, a diaphragm actuator having outer walls and a central diaphragm-engaging projection, an actuator guide secured in the body and bottoming on the margin of the diaphragm, cooperating guiding and retaining means on guide and actuator and including bayonet elements for locking the actuator in inwardly displaced position, the underside of the diaphragm resiliently engaging the upper portion of the walls of the inner chamber when the actuator is secured in inwardly displaced position.

6. A pump-type dispenser for liquids, comprising a body having upstanding generally circular inner and outer walls defining an inner and an annular outer chamber, the inner chamber having an opening communicating with the annular outer chamber, a pumping member comprising a resilient domed diaphragm secured at its margin to the body and extending over the top thereof, the inner chamber having an inlet passage and inlet check valve and the outer chamber having an outlet passage and outlet check valve, the diaphragm being resiliently displaceable inwardly from normal outwardly domed valve when the diaphragm is in inwardly displaced relation.

7. A pump-type dispenser for liquids, comprising a body having upstanding generally circular inner and outer walls defining an inner and an annular outer chamber, the inner chamber having an opening communicating with the annular outer chamber, a pumping member comprising a resilient domed diaphragm secured at its margin to the body and extending over the top thereof, the inner chamber having an inlet passage and inlet check valve and the outer chamber having an outlet passage and outlet check valve, the diaphragm being resiliently displaceable inwardly from normal outwardly domed position to displace fluid from the outer annular chamber, a cap extending over the diaphragm, means for securing the cap to the body with the diaphragm in inwardly displaced relation and a resilient integral stern portion projecting from the underside of the diaphragm into the inner chamber of the body to engage and hold closed the inlet check valve when the diaphragm is secured by the cap in inwardly displaced relation.

8. A pump-type dispenser comprising a body having upstanding generally circular inner and outer walls defining an inner and an annular outer chamber, the outer walls having a seat extending around the inside of said walls, a resilient domed diaphragm having its margin supported by said seat, inlet and outlet passages in inner and outer chambers, respectively, inlet and outlet check valves in said inner and outer chambers, a diaphragm actuator having outer walls and a central diaphragm-engaging projection, an actuator guide secured in the body and bottoming on the margin of the diaphragm, cooperating guiding and retaining means on guide and actuator and including bayonet elements for locking the actuator in inwardly displaced position, the underside of the diaphragm having a resilient integral stem portion projecting from the underside of the diaphragm into the inner chamber, the stern engaging and holding closed the inlet check valve when the diaphragm actuator is locked with the diaphragm in inwardly displaced position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,278,284 Alexander Sept. 10, 1918 2,076,893 Johnson Apr. 13, 1937 2,081,253 Serre May 25, 1937 2,311,367 Chambers Feb. 16, 1943 

